IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE! Read G's College Essay about Young Life:
Growing up, I had a much vaguer relationship with God. I only went to church on holidays and some random Sundays. I never really had a clear idea of who God was or what it meant to believe in him. My view on faith was more of a background thought — something that was there, but not something I understood or lived out. Living in two houses that had very different ideas of what a relationship with God looked like. I would often question if God was really present in my life, looking over me during the hardships I would face at home. In 7th grade, I began attending Young Life, getting to go through experiences like different summer camps. My sophomore summer, I went to Malibu. This was the first time I finally understood who Jesus is and what it means to say He loves me. I found purpose and happiness in simply saying "yes" to Him entering my life.
After a 6-hour bus ride, a ferry ride, and another 4-hour passenger ferry, we finally arrived in Malibu. As soon as we stepped off the boat, we were welcomed by the work crew, dancing to music on the dock, smiling because they had been waiting for us. I thought I knew what to expect, based on some of the church camps I've been to before; I figured Malibu would be similar. Malibu isn't just a regular church camp. There are ski boats, rope swings, beach volleyball, and diving boards. It felt like summer at its best. Each day, you have about 5 hours of free time to do whatever you want, followed by a club at the end of the night. Club is where we played games, danced, and laughed a lot — but Kevin also talked about God.
Kevin was the speaker at Malibu; his talks were so memorable. In one talk, he had two chairs; one chair represented God and one representing each of the campers and their relationship with God before the camp, with a garbage can in between them. He described these two chairs as your life knowing of him, but a life not fully given to Him. God has always been facing toward you, even though you have so much garbage in between, and your back is turned towards him. In this moment, I wasn't just understanding the analogy; I felt like it was personal. Knowing that God has been facing me this whole time. It was just a comforting thought; I wasn't being judged or rejected by him, I was being waited for. This kind of love was patient and undeserved — it was unlike anything that I have experienced before.
He then turned the chair to face God and took away the garbage. Kevin explained that this is what your life looks like once you say yes to God. He always accepts you, no matter how much garbage is in between. That garbage never scared him, because Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Which means that every sin, every mistake, every moment I've felt unworthy — it will always be forgiven by Him. Learning this has helped change my view on Christianity; this is when I said yes. From this point on, I wasn't just hearing about how God's love affects people — I was living in it. Even though I still do have struggles and learning moments, I no longer carry them alone. He is right across from me, sitting in that chair, for every moment that I need Him.
After our talk, we all got rocks from a wheelbarrow and threw them into the ocean. This represents throwing your old life without God away. Since leaving Malibu, I now find peace in knowing I have Jesus in my life. I am trusting in God's plan for me. No matter which way He pushes or pulls me, I know that God is always there for me — waiting in His chair for when I need Him.
